Ever notice how you can be a superhero for everyone else, but a "tomorrow-person" for yourself?
When a friend or colleague asks for help, you’re on it. You’re clear, fast, and reliable. But the moment you sit down to work on your own goals? Suddenly, the "Doom Loop" begins.
Why does this happen?
1. The Clarity of Others: When it’s someone else’s problem, you see the solution objectively. When it’s your problem, you exaggerate the difficulty. You see the mountain instead of the path.
2. The Helper’s High: Helping others provides an immediate sense of accomplishment. The "responsibility finish" is a clean, social win.
3. The Deadline Thrill: For our own tasks, many of us are "arousal procrastinators." We subconsciously wait for the "eleventh hour" because the surge of adrenaline and panic is the only thing that makes us feel focused. We don't just want to finish; we want the thrill of the narrow escape.
The Reality Check
Procrastination isn’t laziness, it’s emotional regulation. We avoid our own tasks because they carry the weight of our fears, our perfectionism, and our identity. Helping someone else is "safe" because our ego isn't on the line in the same way.
How to Flip the Script:
Externalize the Task: Pretend you are "hired" by yourself. Write down your goal as if it’s a request from a respected colleague.
Invite Accountability: Tell someone your deadline. If there’s no "social cost" to being late, your brain will keep waiting for the adrenaline.
Break the Exaggeration: If a task feels "huge," it’s a lie your brain is telling you. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Just 5.
Are you a "Last-Minute Hero" or a "Consistent Builder"?
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